February 16, 2012 – Tortoise Club, opening this year at Marina City, has hired a chef. Edward Gray McNally – his friends call him “Gray” – is from Chicago and has worked at three tony, local restaurants, including Spiaggia on North Michigan Avenue and the old Elysian Hotel, now a Waldorf Astoria.

McNally (left) told Chicago Magazine recently that his recipes would feature “farm-to-table” produce as much as possible, such as wild and free-range game, sustainable seafood, and prime beef. “Every time I see an impressive product or someone whose philosophy I like, we put that in our back pocket.”

No opening date has been announced. Owner Keene Addington told Marina City Online last week it would simply be “awhile” before the restaurant opens. Tortoise Club has described its menu as a “contemporary take on American classic cuisine.” Menu items will include Dover sole, a type of fish, and roasted pheasant pie.

(Below) A sketch of what the Tortoise Club interior will look like.

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